Pepper Spray use on Kids Sparks Legal Action AFTER ‘CATASTrophic’ Warning – ryan

The Government Said It Has No Choice But to Roll Out Pava, A Synhetic Pepper Spray, Into The Youth Offenders Amid Spiraling Levels of Violence Across the Estate

Ministers are facing legal action over their decision to allow pepper spray to use against children as 15 in youth offenders’ institutions.

The Government Last Month Said it has no choice but to roll out Pava, A synthetic pepper spray, into the youth justice amid fears a Young will will love to grack violence.

The Howard League for Penal Reform Has Launched Legal Action Challenging the Announcement. The Leading Prison Charity Sent a Letter to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood warning her to u-Turn on the decision.

Andrea Coomber KC, The Charity’s Chief Executive, Said: “We know that pava spray haen use inapproprately in prisons holding adults; to use it on children be catastrophic.”

PAPA, WHICH TEMPPARIILY INCAPACITATATES ITS VICTIMS, IS CURRENTLY FOR USE IN ALL ADULT MALE PRISONS AND BY THE POLICY.

Read More: Pepper spray to be used against children in jails as cctv reveals spiraling violence

Rates of Violence in the Youth Estate Are Around 14 Times Higher than in Adult Jails. In the Last Three Months of 2024, there are 534 assault incidents in the youth estate, of which 42 were serious.

The Howard League Said Pava Spray Pilots in Adult Prison Indicated that did it did not do not.

It is Also Concerned that the USE of Pava Spray is Likely to Disproportionately Affect Children with Mental and/or Physical Health Concerns, Speech, Language and Communication Needs, Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities, and Neurodivergence. There is significant overrepresentation of children presenting with these disabilities in custody.

MS Coomber Said Pava use in jails will “Normalise” the use of Violence Against Kids. She Added: “Instead of Arging Staff, the way to reduce violence is to close failing you offender institutions and that children are accomodated in more appropriate settings – Such as Secure Children’s Homes – Where they can be gioven. Place for a Child. ”

In a writhten ministerial staff announgh her decision on Pava Last Month, MS Mahmood Said: “This is not a decision of have taken Lightly, but i am clear that vital measure is Needed to urgently priority in these. Place Young People in Custody and Staff at Risk of Serious Harm. “

She added: “The Levels of Violence Across the Children and Young People’s Secure Estate are unacceptable. On a weekly basis are assaults young people in custody.

“Serious Assaults Can See These Young People use homemade weapons, Including stabbing implements, Against Each Other and Our Staff, Levels of Violence Are Higher than Estate.”

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